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Al Molinaro

 
Actor: Al Molinaro
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  • Born: Jun 24, 1919 in Kenosha, Wisconsin
  • Occupation: Actor
  • Active: '70s-'80s
  • Major Genres: Comedy
  • Career Highlights: Happy Days: Season 09, Happy Days: Season 08, Happy Days: Season 07
  • First Major Screen Credit: Green Acres: A Prize in Each and Every Package (1969)

Biography

Heavyset, hawk-nosed Italian-American character actor Al Molinaro maintained a constant association with two series roles throughout his career, both down-to-earth and sweet-natured, paternal types: that of Murray Greshner, better known as Murray the Cop, on the small-screen version of The Odd Couple (1970-1983), and that of Alfred Delvecchio, the second proprietor of Arnold's Drive-In, on Happy Days (a role maintained from 1976 through 1982). The Wisconsin-based location of Days hit close to home for Molinaro, as a real-life native of Kenosha, WI. Born in 1919, he began signing for acting roles in the early to mid-'50s and achieved his big break when very briefly cast as Agent 44 on Mel Brooks' spy spoof Get Smart (before Victor French replaced him). Molinaro reportedly met Odd Couple producer Garry Marshall while enrolled in acting classes with Marshall's sister, Penny, and thereby landed the part of Murray. That led, in turn, to the Happy Days casting in the fall of 1976 when series co-star Pat Morita left to headline his own short-lived series, Mr. T & Tina. Following Days, Molinaro signed for very infrequent guest roles on series and permanently settled in Los Angeles, where he did occasional theatrical performances and made public appearances. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
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Wikipedia: Al Molinaro
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Al Molinaro
Born Albert Molinaro
June 24, 1919 (1919-06-24) (age 90)
Kenosha, Wisconsin,
United States
Years active 1954-1992
Spouse(s) Sidney (? - Present)

Al Molinaro (born June 24, 1919) is an actor in television and films, most notably as Al Delvecchio, the owner of Arnold's on Happy Days and its spin-off show Joanie Loves Chachi, Murray the Cop on The Odd Couple television series, as well as starring in many commercials for On-Cor frozen dinners. He also starred in a short-lived 1982 situation comedy called The Ugily Family, about an unsightly Italian family whose last name is constantly mispronounced as "ugly".

Molinaro was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin and was one of ten children. His love of his hometown has long been evident, and he was quoted as saying about it, "I love that town; I love it. If it wasn't that I left it for show business, I'd still be there today."

In 1987, Molinaro and fellow Happy Days cast member Anson Williams opened a chain of diners called Big Al's. In 1992, the 73-year-old retired from acting.

Molinaro appeared in Weezer's music video for the 1994 song "Buddy Holly", which was set in Arnold's diner. He introduced the band as "Kenosha, Wisconsin's own Weezer".

In 2004, Molinaro announced plans to write a book about his childhood in Kenosha and his acting experiences. He did not appear in the 2005 Happy Days Reunion which aired on ABC.

Al Molinaro was a popular guest on the Don and Mike Show, a nationally syndicated radio show in Washington D.C. which aired from 1985 until April 2008. In recent years Don and Mike have attempted to contact Al, wondering if he was still amongst the living. They were never succesful in their attempts.

Al Molinaro is married to his second wife, Sidney, and has one son, Michael, an attorney in Los Angeles. He currently lives in Glendale, California.

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